New MediaOctober 29, 2010

World Problems + Your Solutions = Challenge.gov

Good ideas are everywhere. No organization, individual, or government has a monopoly on good ideas. Recognizing this, a new federal website, Challenge.gov, has been created as a place where the public and government can solve problems together. Federal agencies post “challenges”, or contests, on the site, and members of the public can offer innovative solutions to these challenges. Challenges are great for encouraging public/private partnerships, as well as stimulating an interest and innovation around a particular topic. Challenge.gov was launched in response to the Obama Administration’s Open Government Directive, which calls for the Federal government to increase transparency, participation, and collaboration with the public. Check out the White House Guidance on the Use of Challenges and Prizes to Promote Open Government (PDF 98 KB).

Contests can be a great way to identify new and creative solutions to long-standing problems. Contests can improve processes, build community, and save taxpayers money. By offering a place for public engagement, Challenge.gov helps encourage communication and knowledge sharing between government and the public.

There are two broad categories of contests that you’ll find on Challenge.gov.

Contests to bring awareness to an issue. The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) is asking individuals to submit original music videos that celebrate healthy and creative living or portrays the dangers of drug abuse. Can a poetry or video contest be used to highlight a particular aspect of HIV/AIDS in your community? Often the true value in these types of contests is found in just having the contest in the first place. The very act of participating can build needed conversation and community.

Have an idea for an HIV/AIDS-related contest? We want your insights on how Challenge.gov could be used to further HIV prevention, treatment, testing, and care innovation. Share your ideas in the blog comments.

For more examples of how the Federal Government is using contests and challenges, go to Challenge.gov.

Comments

I think that Challenge.gov is a really great idea. I think that it is absolutely brilliant to have created a way for average citizens to share their thoughts and ideas on different subject matters with the US Department of Health and Human Services. The more minds that can be involved in thinking about solutions for issues, the more likely it is that a feasible solution can be generated.